Local students hope their doodles will decorate Google

By CAOIMHE GORDON FOR Pauline Osikoya, living happily ever after is only a mouse-click away. The sixth class student from the Mercy Primary Schoolin Tuam has been announced as one of 60 regional finalists chosen in the Doodle4Google competition. She was chosen from hundreds of entries from schools all around Ireland. Another finalist is Julia Dolan from Glenmaddy. The Doodle4Google competition asks students in primary and secondary schools to create a picture around the famous Google logo, focusing on a certain theme. The winning doodle will be featured on the Google Ireland homepage for 24 hours in late March. The winner and their teacher will also receive a laptop each and the winning school will collect a €10,000 technology grant. You can vote for your favourite doodle from each age group at google.ie/doodle4google. Pauline's entry can be found in the 'fourth, fifth and sixth class' category. With just one click, you can vote for your favourite doodle, from each of the four age groups. The theme of this year's competition was 'to me, happiness is ...' Pauline concentrated on creating a fairytale-themed doodle, containing iconic images from her childhood favourites, such as Snow White, Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella. Pauline confirms her love of fairy tales as she explains why she chose this topic. 'Happiness is like a fairy tale, whenever I read fairytales, I feel a sense of joy and excitement.' This is what led Pauline to create this picture â€â€ 'I wanted to capture my sense of joy in my drawing which is why the different symbols represent the fairytales I love.' Pauline who is 'nearly 12' is definitely excited about her success. The prize-giving is in the Science Gallery, Trinity College, Dublin on March 7. 'I can't wait to go!' she exclaims. 'I have never been to Trinity College before.' The bubbly student explains that she only became interested in art a few years ago. 'When I was in third or fourth class.' However, Pauline doesn't plan on stopping now. She has already begun her next venture - entering the Texaco Art Competition. Co. Galway is represented  in a different age group by Julia Dolan, a second year student from Glenamaddy Community School, who also has been chosen as one of the finalists. Her doodle shows her love of music, nature and dance. If you would like to vote for Julia and her aptly titled doodle 'the Field of Happiness', visit www.google.ie and see her entry in the 'first, second and third year' category. We wish both contestants the best of luck in the final.